UK Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude (FamCAS) Survey Results 2023

Tri-service results from the annual families continuous attitude survey can be found HERE​

The Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans

On 2 March 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) jointly commissioned an Independent Review of UK Government welfare services for veterans. The review was to investigate the role, scope and breadth of UK Government welfare provision for veterans, including by the MOD under the Veterans UK banner.​

The review can be read HERE​

Little Troopers Update - Therapy Programme

Little Troopers Therapy Programme: new video series for parents

The charity, Little Troopers, has launched a new online video series for parents as part of its tri-service Little Troopers Therapy Programme.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the Little Troopers Therapy Programme is for military children who are struggling with the unique challenges that military life can bring and would benefit from professional therapy and support.

Now available on the Little Troopers website, the three short videos feature qualified therapists from The Owl Therapy Centre as they explore the topics of deployment, moving home and school, and nurturing resilience. In each video the therapists explain the emotions that children might be struggling with and how their behaviour might change at home and in school, before offering practical information and advice for parents. Each video comes with activities that families can print-out and complete together to help encourage conversation about military life, as well as showing families new coping techniques that they can use during stressful periods of change and uncertainty.

​For more information and to watch the videos, visit www.littletroopers.net/little-troopers-therapy-programme

Regional Command (HIVE & Family Support) Non-UK National Support

 

Family Park, Mondo Verde, Landgraaf

 

The park covers 25 acres, allowing families to have fun, learn and relax. 

World gardens - Each World Garden has something unique to offer.

Zoo - so many animals to admire, so much to learn

Attractions include: log flumes, variety of rides, giant bouncing cushion, mini cable car ride, playgrounds, pirate splash water pool with 6 slides.

For more information to prepare for your visit, click here

Pinnacle Group Free Coaching & Mentoring

 

Mankind: Acorn Recovery Programme for Male Survivors of Domestic Abuse

 

New programme to fund research into challenges facing Armed Forces families

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) are launching a brand new, exciting programme under the Armed Forces Families Fund. The Research Grants programme, now open for applications, is a new and innovative programme which seeks to fund high quality research that can help to develop understanding of the key challenges faced by Armed Forces families. Particular focus will be on educational attainment for Service pupils, child welfare and the welfare needs of Service families.

Wraparound Childcare (WAC) eligibility criteria has been expanded from Autumn term 2023

Great news from WAC!!

FTRS (all commitment types) and personnel Serving overseas unaccompanied voluntarily with family remaining in the UK will be eligible to claim from autumn 23 (so long as other criteria are met).

​Check Discover My Benefits for more information over summer via the relevant link for each Service Discover my Benefits Army, RAF, Navy or Marines

Op Fortitude

Op FORTITUDE is funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund to deliver a centralised referral pathway to end veteran homelessness. The remit of the team will be to work with individual veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, supporting them either into suitable accommodation, or supporting them to maintain their current home.

Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) - Veterans' Adjustment Passports

New Adjustments Passports will support hundreds of sick and disabled Armed Forces leavers’ to start and stay in work, delivering on a key Government priority to remove barriers to the labour market and grow the economy.

The scheme, announced by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday 11 July, will help those leaving service with an injury, disability or health condition move more smoothly into employment.

Find out more HERE​

Open University - Opening Access to Higher Education for AF Personnel and Open Learn FREE Courses

The Open University (OU) are proud of their relationship with the armed forces and more than 1,500 service personnel and their dependents are currently taking advantage of OU career and personal development opportunities available for the defence community.​

To find out more about this and FREE Learning ​(Open Learn)​Courses that are available, please CLICK HERE​.

Quest Magazine

 

See what Quest magazine can offer you

Veterans' UK: Unclaimed Medals - Can You Help us Shape Our Services?

If you have previously served in the armed forces (or have a relative that has) with an unclaimed medal, we would like to speak to you.​​​​

Find out more HERE​

Defence Children's Services: Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK)

Here is a link to the UK EAT advice .PDF leaflet. It covers contact information. What EAT does and useful links too. 

You can view and download the leaflet here. (Non MODNet devices only.) 

Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) Update

 Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024

Guidance on getting extra payments to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.

5 July 2023 - Added guidance on how to report a missing £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.

New law to ensure domestic abuse victims receive child maintenance gets Royal Assent

A Bill ensuring victims of domestic abuse can receive child maintenance without contact from their abuser has received Royal Assent on Thursday, 29 June 2023.

DWP launches new Midlife MOT website

AFCFT - Veterans' Mobility Fund

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust are pleased to announce a brand new, highly specialist grant programme – the Veterans’ Mobility Fund. This fund is for an experienced Charity who will act as a Lead Organisation, providing onwards grants to veterans with physical disabilities via an externally delegated grant scheme.​

Full details can be found HERE​

Blind Veterans UK

 

Welcome to your Blind Veterans UK July update What a busy few months our veterans have had. There's been art exhibitions, the launch of our Gift a Wreath campaign and a whole host of events to mark national Armed Forces Day. To find out more: click here

Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update

Update on FDIS performance

For updates on the action DIO is taking to improve the performance of the accommodation contracts, please read the Families First Newsletters which can be found here: on Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Online forms for in-home requests are now available on the Pinnacle website Online forms are now available at In-Home Requests - Pinnacle Service Families to make it easier for families to submit in-home applications for pets, visitors, nannies/au pairs, minor encroachments or to run a business.

Recruit for Spouses Job Vacancies: Engineers Wanted (Project Manager, Senior & Principal) & Field Communications Specialist

 

For more information visit: https://jobs.recruitforspouses.co.uk/

Defence Transition Services: Civilian Housing Briefs Sept to Dec 23

Civilian housing options; information for service personnel and their dependants. 

For information, please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/information-and-guidance-on-civilian-housing​

Office For Veterans' Affairs - Op FORTITUDE (Homeless Veterans')

From today, vulnerable veterans across the country will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.​

Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and the organisations working with them are encouraged to contact the Op FORTITUDE hotline on 0800 952 0774 or through a secure web portal at riv.org.uk/opfortitude.​

Find out more HERE

Interested in Learning Dutch or German?

Turn your double Dutch into fluent Dutch or strive to master the German language! 

Go at your own pace and learn useful phrases to get around and communicate with new neighbours and colleagues.

The e-Learning Centre at the NSE has 15 Dutch and 5 German books (5 books in 1) with CDs available for loan to Serving Personnel and their dependants. 

Books can be loaned free of charge on a 3 monthly basis. Must be signed for by the Serving family member.

For more information please visit the e-Learning Centre, JFC Brunssum.

Bouldering Social Evenings, Heerlen

 

No climbing experience is needed and family members are welcome; it is a relaxed environment, providing the opportunity to try something new and meet others from the HQ. There are boulder ‘problems’ for all levels and a small café for when you want a break and a cold drink!

• A short induction will be provided by the centre for newcomers at your first session.
• No equipment needed – shoes can be rented from the Climbing Corner (€3.50)
• 20% military discount when NATO ID shown. You can pay per session (€9.20 including discount), purchase 10 sessions at a reduced rate (valid for 12 months), or a monthly membership for €36 (including discount)

Take a look at The Climbing Corner website for more information about bouldering and to bust a few myths for newcomers.

People given even more time to pay National Insurance contributions towards their State Pension

The Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions deadline to 5 April 2025, to give people even more time to fill gaps in their NI record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension when they retire. The deadline was previously July 2023.

Extending the voluntary NI contributions deadline for another two years also means people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them.

As part of the transition to the new State Pension, people have been able to pay these contributions to make up any incomplete years between April 2006 and April 2016. Some of the people likely to be affected include those who may have been unemployed during this period, off work because of caring responsibilities or living abroad*.

Further information and guidance are available on GOV.UK.

*This includes those posted overseas; Service spouses can apply for NI credits for periods 1975 onwards where they accompanied their serving partner overseas. For full details and the application forms please see National Insurance credits for partners of armed forces personnel overseas - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance: Armed forces access to Jobcentre Plus services Update

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives that help current and former armed forces personnel and your families access Jobcentre Plus services.

This includes having an armed forces champion in every Jobcentre Plus district who ensures that we provide support that meets your needs.

This page explains the role of the armed forces champion and the way you and your families can access our services.​

CLICK HERE​ to read the guidance